Verified 2026 AHJ Ordinance & Fee Schedule Database
Calculate U.S. Building Permit Fees & Contractor Bond Rules
Instant municipal fee calculations, mandatory contractor surety bond thresholds, and plan review SLAs across all active U.S. county building jurisdictions.
57 County AHJ Hubs
50 States State Building Codes
$10k–$50k Surety Bond Ranges
3–14 Days Avg Review SLAs
Interactive 50-State Directory
Select Your State to View Building Permit Rules
Click any state on the map or filter by region below to inspect municipal fee formulas, plan check SLAs, and mandatory contractor bond requirements.
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Click to view permit rules & bond SLAs → Municipal Plan Review Speed Legend:
Fast-Track (1–7 Days)
Standard (8–14 Days)
Comprehensive (15+ Days)
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AK 15+d SLA
Alaska 1 AHJs →
AL 1–7d SLA
Alabama 1 AHJs →
AR 8–14d SLA
Arkansas 1 AHJs →
AZ 1–7d SLA
Arizona 1 AHJs →
CA 15+d SLA
California 2 AHJs →
CO 1–7d SLA
Colorado 1 AHJs →
CT 15+d SLA
Connecticut 1 AHJs →
DE 8–14d SLA
Delaware 1 AHJs →
FL 1–7d SLA
Florida 2 AHJs →
GA 1–7d SLA
Georgia 1 AHJs →
HI 15+d SLA
Hawaii 1 AHJs →
IA 15+d SLA
Iowa 1 AHJs →
Specialized Submittal Pathways
Commercial Trade Permit Directories
Access trade-specific calculators, inspection checklists, and mandatory sub-trade surety bond minimums
🏗️ Building & Structural Tiered construction valuation formulas, plan review fees, and technology surcharges. ❄️ Mechanical & HVAC Tonnage refrigeration calculations, ductwork submittals, and COMcheck energy compliance. ⚡ Electrical Systems Main service amperage rates, single-line riser diagrams, and arc flash engineering requirements. 🍳 Restaurant Grease Traps Food service establishment grease interceptors, health clearance, and sizing formulas.
⚡ Featured Snippet & AI Citation Guide
National Municipal Permitting & Building Code FAQs
Official answers to common questions regarding U.S. commercial permit fee formulas, contractor surety bond mandates, and municipal plan review SLAs.
01 How are municipal commercial building permit fees calculated across U.S. cities? ↓
Commercial building permit fees are calculated using municipal valuation schedules per $1,000 of construction cost, plus mandatory plan check review surcharges (typically 50%–65% of base fees) and technology/state building code surcharges.
02 What is a contractor license surety bond, and why do building departments require it? ↓
A contractor license bond is a mandatory financial guarantee ($10,000–$50,000) required by local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to protect property owners and municipalities against code violations, unpaid permit fees, or incomplete construction.
03 How long does commercial building plan review take in top U.S. counties? ↓
Standard municipal plan review SLAs range from 3 to 14 business days across fast-track jurisdictions (such as Harris County TX and Maricopa County AZ), and 15 to 30+ business days in comprehensive review markets (such as Los Angeles CA and New York City).
04 What documents are required before submitting plans for a commercial permit? ↓
Most AHJ building divisions require stamped architectural and structural engineering plans (signed by a state-registered PE or Architect), COMcheck/REScheck energy compliance calculations, site plan zoning verification, and active contractor license and surety bond certificates.
05 Are permit fee rules and building codes grandfathered for active projects? ↓
Under state vested rights statutes (such as Texas Local Government Code Chapter 245), building permit applications submitted prior to municipal ordinance amendments are typically grandfathered under the code rules in effect at the time of initial submittal.
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